THE POLISH PRESIDENCY OF 2011 - A CHALLENGE AND OPPORTUNITY

Poland will be the fourth Member State to hold the Presidency under the new Lisbon Treaty, following the Spanish, Belgian, and Hungarian Presidencies. The selection of Polish priorities has to be made consciously, taking into account the subjects of real political interest, level of ambitions, achievements already made, strengths, and also those subjects important for Polish society, in order to generate public interest and social support for the Presidency agenda. The success of the Polish Presidency will be determined by an uncounted number of bigger and smaller elements, from the ability to conclude a constructive debate on crucial issues to good preparation of meeting venues, expertise on detailed subjects, knowledge of foreign languages, attractiveness of cultural offerings and the creation of a friendly atmosphere.